ASA, Journal of Commerce meeting updates

For the American Society of Anesthesiologists, planning to bring 16,000 to the New Orleans convention center in October, Hurricane Katrinaâ€™s destruction means a conference planned for 12 years will have to be rearranged in less than two months. Considering that big meetings require airline tickets, hotel rooms and speakers â€” not just a big room to meet in â€” some conventions planned for New Orleans this fall and winter may have to be scrapped or broken into smaller pieces, said ASAâ€™s spokeswoman, Gina Steiner.

â€There are only a few places that can handle our size,â€ said Steiner, speaking from the societyâ€™s Chicago headquarters. â€We may have to scale things back.â€

Another convention group, the San Diego-based Journal of Commerce, holds an annual cargo-themed convention, every fall in New Orleans. Last year the conference of 1,400 people was delayed because of Hurricane Ivan. This year, itâ€™ll be moved entirely, said conference director Renee Jacobs.